Lifestyle Choices

When it comes to the way your skin looks, you really are what you eat! Maintaining a healthy, balanced diet is one of the most important things you can do to have healthy-looking, beautiful skin.

You have probably heard many opinions about what you should (or shouldn’t) eat to have great skin. How much do you know about which foods are really good—and which are not good for your skin? Take this Food Facts and Fiction Quiz and find out:

TRUE OR FALSE

i. Donuts, french fries, and other fried foods cause acne.

ii. Salt can affect the condition of your skin.

iii. You need fat in your diet to look your best.

iv. Chocolate is very bad for your complexion.

v. Drinking water doesn’t hurt your skin, but it doesn’t help it either.

vi. Caffeine does not affect your skin.

vii. You need to have certain vitamins and minerals every day to look your best.

ANSWERS

1. False. Although in the past people believed that eating oily foods could cause acne (serious skin-scarring from pimples), doctors now believe that this is not true. Acne is caused by excess oil produced far below the surface of the skin, which can cause clogging of your pores and inflammation. True acne must be treated by a doctor with medications that work under the skin’s surface. Eating food with oil does not generally affect the production of oil in skin. However, a well-balanced diet can help your skin’s tone and condition.                                                                            a) Touching your face, especially after you have eaten greasy foods, can contribute to blemishes. If you eat fried foods, wash your hands promptly.                                                                                                                                                             b)You may develop an allergy or sensitivity to fried or other foods, which can affect your skin. If you seem to experience frequent breakouts after eating these foods, avoid them.
2. True. Salt contains iodine, which can irritate pores. To help your skin look its best, avoid eating too many salty snacks.
3. True. Believe it or not. Some fat is necessary in a healthy diet, to help keep skin soft. Very low- calorie or “no-fat” diets can actually cause your skin to become dry and even cracked. Watch your cholesterol by choosing “healthy” fats like olive and corn oil.
4. False. Although eating chocolate will not improve the way your skin looks, it generally does not do it any harm, either. Chocolate contains a large amount of caffeine, which can make you jumpy and prevent you from getting enough sleep. A lack of sleep can affect the way your skin looks. However, eating chocolate in moderation usually does not have any impact on your skin.
5. False. Drinking water can help your skin, by helping it rid itself of impurities and providing moisture. Several glasses of water a day can help your skin become clearer. If you live in a dry environment, try misting your skin with water to ease dryness.
6. False. Too much caffeine can disturb your sleep and make your skin look lifeless. To look your best, try not to have any caffeine after 6 p.m. Caffeine can also block your body’s ability to absorb iron, a mineral especially important to young women. Caffeine is found in coffee, tea, many sodas, and chocolate.
7. True. Your skin is an organ, and just like other organs in your body, it requires daily nutrition to function well.

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